Mauao Man

Are Most Muslims in New Zealand Actually Kiwis?

Exploring the Truth Behind the Numbers

Introduction: More Than Just a Stereotype

When most New Zealanders think of Muslims, they often picture immigrants or refugees — people who have come to New Zealand from countries like Pakistan, India, Iraq, or Somalia. But is that image still accurate?

Has New Zealand’s Muslim community become more of a local, homegrown population — or is it still mostly made up of first-generation immigrants?

This post takes a deep dive into the question: Are most Muslims in New Zealand actually Kiwis — born and raised here? We will look at the latest statistics, the history of Muslim immigration, and the growing presence of New Zealand-born Muslims who call this country home.

1. Understanding New Zealand’s Muslim Population: A Diverse Community

Islam is New Zealand’s fastest-growing religion, but the Muslim community is far from a single, uniform group. It is a mix of:

Immigrants from South Asia: Pakistan, India, Bangladesh, and Afghanistan.
Middle Eastern Communities: Iraq, Syria, Iran, and Egypt.
African Muslims: Somalia, Sudan, Ethiopia, and Nigeria.
Pacific Island Muslims: Fijian Muslims, a significant community in Auckland.
New Zealand-Born Muslims: Second and third-generation Muslims born to immigrant families.
Local Converts: Kiwis of European, Māori, and Pacific Island descent who have embraced Islam.

But Who Makes Up the Majority?

Are most of these Muslims New Zealand-born Kiwis, or are they still primarily immigrants and refugees?
The answer is important because it affects how the Muslim community sees itself — and how the wider New Zealand public understands it.

2. The Numbers: How Many Muslims Are Actually New Zealand-Born?

According to the 2018 Census (the most recent detailed data available):

Total Muslim Population in New Zealand: 57,276 (1.3% of the population).
New Zealand-Born Muslims: Approximately 27% of the Muslim population (around 15,500 people).
Foreign-Born Muslims: Approximately 73% (around 41,800 people).

Where Do These Foreign-Born Muslims Come From?

South Asia (Pakistan, India, Bangladesh): 27%
Middle East and North Africa (Iraq, Syria, Egypt): 18%
Pacific Islands (Fiji): 14%
Sub-Saharan Africa (Somalia, Sudan): 12%
Southeast Asia (Malaysia, Indonesia): 7%
Other Regions: 22% (including Europe and other parts of Asia).

The Reality:

Despite a growing number of New Zealand-born Muslims, the majority of the Muslim community is still made up of first-generation immigrants and refugees.

3. Why Immigrants and Refugees Still Make Up the Majority

Several factors explain why most Muslims in New Zealand are still immigrants or refugees:

1. A Recent History of Immigration:

New Zealand’s Muslim population grew rapidly in the 1980s and 1990s due to immigration from South Asia, the Middle East, and Africa.
Refugees from conflict zones (Afghanistan, Iraq, Somalia, Syria) arrived in significant numbers.
Family reunification allowed many Muslim immigrants to bring family members to New Zealand.

2. A Younger Community:

Many Muslim immigrants are young adults or families with children.
These children are now growing up as New Zealand-born Muslims, but the majority of the community remains foreign-born.

3. Conversion Remains a Minority:

While there are New Zealanders who convert to Islam — including Māori and European Kiwis — they make up only a small fraction of the Muslim population.

4. The Growing Presence of New Zealand-Born Muslims

Although most Muslims in New Zealand are still immigrants, the presence of New Zealand-born Muslims is growing:

Second-Generation Muslims: Children born to immigrant parents are now reaching adulthood, identifying as Kiwis.
Third-Generation Muslims: In some communities, especially in Auckland, a third generation is now growing up as New Zealanders.
Local Converts: While still a small minority, the number of Kiwis converting to Islam is slowly increasing.

The Impact of New Zealand-Born Muslims:

These young Muslims are more likely to speak English fluently, attend New Zealand schools, and identify with New Zealand culture.
They are also more likely to question some of the traditional cultural practices of their parents, blending Kiwi values with Islamic beliefs.
New Zealand-born Muslims are also becoming more visible in politics, media, and community leadership.

5. Real Examples: New Zealand-Born Muslims Making an Impact

1. Political Representation:

Dr. Anjum Rahman, a New Zealand-born Muslim of Indian descent, is a well-known advocate for human rights and has been involved in New Zealand politics.
Golriz Ghahraman, although born in Iran, is a Muslim politician who grew up in New Zealand and became the first refugee elected to Parliament.

2. Media and Social Media Presence:

New Zealand-born Muslim influencers are becoming more active on social media, sharing their perspectives on faith, culture, and identity.
Islamic events, such as Eid celebrations, are now covered in New Zealand media, often featuring young, English-speaking Muslims.

3. Community Leadership:

Young, New Zealand-born Muslims are becoming involved in local Islamic organizations, bringing a Kiwi perspective to leadership.
These leaders are more likely to support integration, interfaith dialogue, and community outreach.

6. What This Means for New Zealand

As New Zealand’s Muslim population grows, the balance between immigrants and New Zealand-born Muslims will continue to shift. Over time:

The Muslim community may become more Kiwi in its identity, with New Zealand-born Muslims leading the way.
The influence of traditional, immigrant-dominated leadership may decline.
Issues affecting New Zealand-born Muslims — such as identity, belonging, and balancing Kiwi values with Islamic teachings — will become more important.

But for now, the majority of Muslims in New Zealand are still immigrants — and that has a huge impact on how the community sees itself and how it is seen by others.

Conclusion: A Community in Transition

So, are most Muslims in New Zealand actually Kiwis? Not yet — but they are getting there.

The majority of New Zealand’s Muslim community is still made up of immigrants and refugees.
But a growing number of New Zealand-born Muslims are changing the face of Islam in New Zealand — bringing a Kiwi perspective to the faith.
As this generation grows up, the Muslim community will become more local, more integrated, and more connected to New Zealand’s culture and values.

But for now, New Zealand’s Muslim community is still defined by its immigrant roots.

History of Islam in New Zealand: From the First Arrivals to Today
The Christchurch Effect: How a Tragedy Gave New Zealand’s Muslim Community Unprecedented Influence
Why Dawah is Only in the Big Cities: Islam’s Two Worlds in New Zealand
Who Defines Islamophobia? Is New Zealand’s Hate Speech Law Being Shaped by Sharia?

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About the Author

Mauao Man is a blog created by a New Zealand writer who believes in following the evidence wherever it leads. From history and religion to culture and society, Mauao Man takes a clear, critical, and honest approach — challenging ideas without attacking people. Whether exploring the history of Islam in New Zealand, the complexities of faith, or the contradictions in belief systems, this blog is about asking the hard questions and uncovering the truth.

If you value clarity over comfort and truth over tradition, you’re in the right place.